Organized For Life: Tips 2010

Do you have enough time for work, recreation, family and relaxation? We spend atleast eight hours sleeping in twenty-four hours of the day; which leaves 16 hours left over. Most people work atleast eight hours a day; which leaves another eight hours of free time to do as we wish. In that eight hours it is best to come up with a plan of how you want to spend those hours and if properly planned organizing can fit in each daily routine.

As a single parent raising an ADHD child was not an easy task. It was vital to plan the night before everything to make the next day easier. I had to plan and prepare in order to manage all of life’s activities. I had to learn to take care of myself first in order to properly take care of my child. If I did those two things right my work life and free time would be a lot easier. For a long time I put my child ahead of myself and in the long run it didn’t do my health any good. That was the signal to change and take of myself. One thing that kept me going was my “down time” after my child went to bed. This allowed me to jou
al, crochet blankets, and get organized. In the end, it is better to be organized in order to have the free time to do as I wanted.

"My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the door, let it be. Or if you cannot stand the “mess” have a place for everything” life becomes much easier this way.”
TIPS TO STAYING ORGANIZED

1. Jot it down. With the many details that you have to remember in any given day, why should you try to keep it all in a memory bank? At the very moment that you remember something needs to be done, the very best thing to do is write it down. Then, just as you need to recall it, it will be there for you in an instant. ( I use a notebook and take it with me wherever I go).

2.Keep it all in one place. Once you have developed the knack of writing everything down, your next step will be to keep your writing all in one place. (I use a binder).

3. Stay healthy and Take Vitamins. A keen memory is a well-nourished mind. Eat healthy; get plenty of rest and lots of good exercise. These will all see you through to having a good memory, staying focused and being alert. (I had to get sick in order to realize that staying healthy and well was much easier in the long run).

4. Computerize your reminders. There are many good and free e-mail reminder services available. You can type in what you want to remember, such as a birthday party, anniversary or special event, and you will receive an e-mail reminder when the date is approaching. This is a terrific way to jog your memory by Internet.

5. Use different colored sticky notes. Those wonderful, little sticky notes are the next best thing to sliced bread! Want to remember something prior to leaving your home? Just mark it down on a Post-It Note and stick it to the inside of your door. The bright, neon colors will be great to catch your eye as you are leaving. You will not likely miss it! Need to make an urgent call first thing in the morning? Leave a Post-It Note on your telephone.

6. Use timers and alarms. Take advantage of alarm clocks and timers throughout your day. Have to take the clothes out of the dryer by 12 noon? Set your alarm clock to remind you. Want to leave for the ladies luncheon by 7 p.m.? Set your timer to beep a few minutes before it is time to start to get ready.

7. Visual Notebook or Vision Board. Visual reminders will help you remember and stay focused. Use visual reminders for remembering your goals. If your goal is to take a trip in a few years, keep a magazine photograph right on your desk. If your goal is to lose 10 lbs. in six months, find a picture that will help remind you of this goal each day.
Say goodbye to clutter and hello to breathing and moving around! Now, doesn’t that sound delightful?